The Unsuspecting Mage - Brian S. Pratt [61]
“Yes,” says James. “I am staying at the Flying Swan and I’m staying in room ten.”
“Very good sir, I’ll have it over there this afternoon.”
Once they were out of the shop and back on the street, Miko gives him a disapproving look and says, “You didn’t even haggle with him!”
“Haggle?” queries James.
“Yes, haggle,” states Miko. “Didn’t he seem just a little too happy when you handed over the money?”
“As a matter of fact, he did,” agreed James.
“That’s because you paid almost twice what the stuff you bought was worth!” he explains.
“I’ve never haggled before,” James admits.
“Never haggled…?” Miko just stares incredulously at him. “Just where do you come from that doesn’t require haggling?”
“A long, long ways I’m afraid,” he answers. “I guess I’m going to have to get the hang of it.”
“Yeah,” agrees Miko. “And if you don’t, you ain’t gonna have any money left after a while.”
James mulls over Miko’s words. He comes to the conclusion that there needs to be changes in the way he does things. Need to adapt them to this place and their customs. When in Rome… James thinks to himself.
“Where to now?” asks Miko.
“Is there a library in town?” he asks.
“The only libraries belong to the nobles,” explains Miko. “They don’t let anyone use them. Why do you need a library anyway?”
“Oh, I just like books is all.” James misses his collection of books back home. Seeing the books the scribes were copying brought back some of the homesickness that James had thought he had begun to get over.
“Is there a candy shop in town?” he suddenly asks.
“What’s candy?” responds Miko.
“Just something I use to like back when I was home,” James explains. “How about a bakery or pastry shop?”
“There are a couple bakeries,” Miko explains. “One is famous for its tarts.” He looks expectantly at James and a light enters his eyes when James nods.
“Let’s go,” James agrees. “We’ll see just how good those tarts are.”
Miko takes the lead and they are soon out of the temple district. After making several turns and walking down a couple streets, they find themselves outside a shop with a mouth watering aroma emanating from within. Hanging on the outside of the shop is a sign with a loaf of bread cut in two.
Upon entering, James sees a wide variety of breads and pastries displayed behind the counter. A fat lady in an apron is currently helping another lady so he waits patiently as he looks over the various selections.
When the lady is done, James steps to the counter and is greeted by the fat lady.
“Welcome, welcome. How may I help you today?” she asks with a warm and friendly attitude.
Patting Miko on the back he says, “My friend here tells me that you are famous for your tarts and I have come to see if he was correct.”
Beaming, the lady responds, “We do have the best tarts in town. Many of the nobles will only purchase from us because of the superior quality in all that we do.” She reaches behind her and takes a tart with red filling slightly oozing from one corner. Breaking it in two, she gives each of them half. Biting into it, James is impressed with the rich berry flavor of the filling and the flakiness of the crust.
Seeing that she is waiting expectantly for a response, he says, “This is a very good tart.” Looking over at Miko, he sees him nodding his head approvingly. “Give us a mixed variety of a dozen please,” he tells her.
Beaming with pride, she turns back to the counter and takes a sack, placing thirteen tarts of varying color and size inside. She then turns back to the counter and hands him the sack saying that it will be a silver and three coppers.
Miko nudges James in the side, who looks down. Miko mouths ‘Haggle’ silently.
James looks back at the lady and says, “Eighteen coppers.” Miko nods approvingly.
“A silver two coppers,” counters the lady.
“A silver,” James offers.